Although the organizing industry began nearly forty years ago, it took many years for the profession to become widely known. Now there are thousands of professional organizers throughout the world, and most people probably have at least a basic understanding of what you do. But finding a way to stand out from all the others who offer similar services can be quite a challenge!

Aaron Traub has had considerable success in this area, and he’s here to share several ways you can establish credibility and give potential clients the confidence they need to consider you for their organizing needs.

Professional organizers lay the foundation for efficiency. The work that you do can mean the difference between stress and anxiety-filled home environment and a living space that’s comfortable, peaceful, and easy to enjoy. The trick is learning to prove to your market that your efforts are worth the investment.

Given the nature of the professional organizing industry, establishing credibility can be just as challenging as wading through years of collected clutter and establishing a feasible plan for bringing order. However, with the following tips, you can quickly build a solid reputation for effectiveness, value, and expertise.

Display Accreditations and Awards

Taking advantage of the resources and opportunities provided by the National Association of Productivity & Organizing (NAPO) is a great way to build your credibility within the professional organizing industry. NAPO offers certification courses, opportunities for ongoing learning, research tools, and more. They also have an annual summit, several special interest groups, and opportunities to become a business partner.

This organization also awards distinguished and high-performing businesses at its annual gatherings. These are honors that can be listed on your professional website, social media profiles, and physical marketing materials. Becoming a member of NAPO helps legitimize companies in this field.

Generating Glowing, 5-Star Customer Reviews

Positive reviews are consistently ranked among the most effective ways to attract new customers. Online review statistics for 2022 show that 93 percent of consumers read customer reviews, and 93 percent report this feedback influencing their purchasing decisions.

Sadly, providing superior workmanship and outstanding results isn’t always enough to get your clients to leave reviews. More often than not, even satisfied buyers need a little nudge.

You have to be proactive in building your online reputation and dogged in requesting the necessary feedback. According to Forbes, social proof builds confidence. Moreover, one of the surest ways to get social proof is by giving your customers a reason to provide it.

Although incentivizing reviews can leave companies in a dubious, gray area of violating basic business ethics and online guidelines, you can avoid this by offering non-monetary incentives or incentives that benefit third parties. For instance, you can:

• Make a small donation to a charitable organization for each review that’s left
• Plant a tree to support the natural environment
• Hand out a free promotional item

Another way to encourage reviews is by making it easy for people to leave them. Send out links to your preferred review platforms by text or email. Include these links on your invoices, physical and digital receipts, brochures, and other printed materials.

More importantly, don’t try to collect more information than is necessary when requesting reviews. For instance, if you have an in-depth survey that you want your existing customers to complete, don’t try to attach this to the review process or your review requests. Busy consumers are more likely to complete this task if they can get it done within just a few minutes.

All things said, even if you don’t have a formal process for encouraging reviews, simply asking for one after providing superior service is a great place to start.

Punctuality: The Importance of Being on Time

Nothing says professional like being on time. Being late has a tremendous impact on your reputation as a professional organizer, even if you believe you have a worthwhile and perfectly understandable excuse.

Not only do professional organizers create environments that promote productivity and efficiency, but they also resolve common time management problems. If you present yourself as struggling in this area, no one will find your claims of being able to help them improve their time management as being credible.

Let Company-Branded Clothing do the Talking

Incorporating uniforms or professional, company-branded clothing into your business model will set you apart from every other person or company in your industry that has overlooked this critical detail.

Uniforms and branded clothing project competence and inspire confidence. Using company-branded clothing also gives consumers a greater sense of security. They know who they’re letting into their homes. Switching to branded clothing also:

• It eliminates the need for a company dress code
• Ensures brand consistency no matter how large your team grows
• Places the reputation of your company behind every employee

Company uniforms and other options in company-branded clothing also provide ongoing marketing opportunities. Everyone who encounters your branded hats, shirts, or other items will be exposed to your business and its values. Branded clothing is additionally great for keeping your business fresh in the minds of local consumers who’ve used your services in the past.

Don’t Overpromise and Underdeliver

One of the best ways to generate glowing, 5-star reviews and build overall credibility for your company is by consistently providing good value. This may sometimes mean staying later than planned to get the job done or going above and beyond in other ways.

One significant part of delivering on what was sold is helping your customers develop feasible expectations. As you define your services, ensure that your customers know exactly what they’re getting. If you mistake under-explaining what you offer, your customers may expect more than you’re reasonably able to deliver or more than you’re willing to provide at a specific cost.

Establishing service packages, standalone services, and transparent pricing will make all the difference. It will also ensure that you’re never accused of false advertising and that you’re never working at excessive levels for fees that won’t keep your business afloat.

Use High-Quality Company Project and Team Photos

Impressive portfolios of projects that you’ve completed in the past are also great tools for building your credibility as a professional organizer. Talk with your high-profile clients about the prospect of sharing before-and-after images, case studies, or other digital assets that will help you build your brand.

Although some clients may wish to retain their anonymity, others will be more than willing to share their stories. This is especially true if you incentivize them to do so by offering discounts on their current or future service needs.

Team photos give professional organizing companies a face. They make them both more personal and more personable. Create a space on your website dedicated to showcasing your team’s talents. List the titles and duties of your employees along with either a group photo or individual photos.

Conclusion

Establishing your professional organization company as a credible one is a multi-pronged effort. Although five-star reviews are essential to this process, consistently delivering good value is also vital.

With clearly defined services, digital assets that showcase your best work, and a professional, branded look for your employees, you can make your company a standout choice in every market condition.